Successful treatment of granuloma faciale with topical tacrolimus: A case report and immunohistochemical study

Abstract

We report the case of a 55-year-old Japanese patient with granuloma faciale (GF) successfully treated with topical tacrolimus and describe the immunohistochemical study. Immunohistochemical staining revealed that the patient's granuloma contained CD3 +, CD4 +, CD8 +, CD68 + and CD163 + cells. Interestingly, these cells contained granulysin + T cells and lacked Foxp3 high+ regulatory T cells. In addition, the macrophages were mainly CD163 +, which suggested that the alternatively activated macrophage is one of the main components of GF. In summary, the present data shed light on the granuloma-composing cells and possible mechanisms in the treatment of GF with topical tacrolimus. Copyright © 2012 S. Karger AG, Basel.